Team Chevron’s David Sender of Arlington Heights, Ill., won the men’s all-around title at the 2008 Visa Championships at Reliant Park in Houston. Sender, also took top honors on

vault and qualified to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Gymnastics. Sender, 22, won the all-around title with a six-event

total of 180.700. Team Chevron’s Jonathan Horton of Houston was second at 180.450, followed by Team

Chevron’s Joey Hagerty of Rio Ranchero, N.M, at 180.300. David Durante and Raj Bhavsar rounded out the top five

in the all-around. Both days of the men’s competition counted equally toward the final score.

Sender, who is coached by J.D. Reive and Thom Glielmi at Stanford, had two very consistent days. He won the vault

with a total of 32.450, with Sean Golden coming in second at 32.350, and Bhavsar and Morgan Hamm tying for third at 32.100.

Sender, who won the vault crown in 2004 and 2006, solidly landed his Yurchenko 2-1/2. He was fourth in the floor exercise

and horizontal bar, fifth on still rings, and eighth on parallel bars. “I was thrilled to win the all-around, but more importantly I

proved to the selection committee that I can do two nights of steady gymnastics,” said Sender.

Paul Hamm had a comfortable cushion in the all-around after day one, scoring 3.70 points over his nearest competitor Hagerty. However,

Hamm injured his hand on the last event, parallel bars, and could not compete during day two of Visa Championships.

“My hand was jammed on parallel bars and I felt a shift in the bones,” Hamm said. Hamm, who fractured the fourth metacarpal on his right hand, petitioned to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and his petition was accepted. The individual event champions for 2008 were: Morgan Hamm, floor exercise; Yewki Tomita, pommel horse; Kevin Tan, still rings; Sender, vault; Justin Spring, parallel bars; and Hagerty, horizontal bar.

22 USa GYMNaStiCS JULY • aUGUST 2008

Jonathan Horton

2008 Visa Championships - Reliant Arena

Houston, Texas - May 24, 2008

Joseph Hagerty

Phot

o - St

eve L

ange

©Ph

oto -

Stev

e Lan

ge ©

Photo - Max Morse

David Sender

SenDer winS men’S all-arounD TiTle aT 2008 ViSa ChampionShipS

24 USa GYMNaStiCS JULY • aUGUST 2008

Morgan Hamm debuted an air flare, which he described as a break-dancing move, in his floor routine that earned a total of 31.350, garnering him his third national floor title. Steve Legendre, was second at 31.300 and Horton was third at 30.800. Tomita earned his second pommel horse title with a two-day score of 30.150, finishing ahead of silver-medalist Tim McNeill at 29.900 and bronze-medalist Clay Strother, at 29.550. On the still rings, Tan

turned in two very consistent days, earning a 16.650 and 16.700, to clinch his third straight title with a total score of 33.350. Horton finished second at 31.850, and Bhavsar and Golden tied for third at 31.100. Spring’s 30.900 earned him his first U.S. parallel bars title. Alexander Artemev was second at 30.650, and Durante was third at 30.600. Hagerty posted a 31.00 to win the horizontal bar individual event crown. Durante was second at 30.200, followed by Morgan Hamm at 30.100. The 10 men who qualified for the senior men’s national team based on the points system and will advance to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials are: - Alexander Artemev of Lakewood, Colo./Team Chevron- Raj Bhavsar of Houston/Team Chevron- David Durante of Garwood, N.J./Team Chevron- Sean Golden of Camden, N.J./Team Chevron- Joseph Hagerty of Rio Ranchero, N.M/Team Chevron- Jonathan Horton of Houston, Texas/Team Chevron - Morgan Hamm of Waukesha, Wis./Team Chevron- Paul Hamm of Waukesha, Wis./Team Chevron- David Sender of Arlington Heights, Ill./ Team Chevron- Kevin Tan of Fremont, Calif./Team Chevron

The remaining four members of the national team were selected by the Men’s Program Committee: - Guillermo Alvarez of Denver/Team Chevron- Tim McNeill of Falls Church, Va./University of California – Berkley- Justin Spring of Burke, Va./Team Chevron- Yewki Tomita of Tucson, Ariz./Team Chevron. In addition, the Men’s Program Committee approved the petition of Sean Townsend of Houston/Team Chevron, who was injured, to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Alexander Artemev

David Durante

Raj Bhavsar

Senior Men’sTeam

Dealer for the following Brands:

American Gymnast is owned and operated by Olympian Steve McCain and World Team Member Jay Thornton. Get your gymnastics supplies from the company who knows gymnastics.

Competition Equipment and Mats: American Gymnast can fully

service gymnastics clubs with a full line of equipment and mats.

Training Equipment and Mats: Perfect for home or

gym use!

Motor Development:Skill shapes for all Motor Development needs.

Grips and Wrist Supports:Huge selection of high quality grips and supports.

www.american-gymnast.com877-789-2267

™Photo - Max Morse

Photos - Max Morse

Photo - Steve Lange

Men’s Visa Championships Results Club/sChOOl Prelim Final TOTal1 David Sender Team Chevron 89.700 91.000 180.7002 Jonathan Horton Team Chevron 89.450 91.000 180.4503 Joseph Hagerty Team Chevron 89.750 90.550 180.3004 David Durante Team Chevron 88.800 90.150 178.9505 Raj Bhavsar Team Chevron 89.700 88.550 178.2506 Alexander Artemev Team Chevron 88.600 89.550 178.1507 Guillermo Alvarez Team Chevron 88.800 89.150 177.9508 Todd Thornton Team Chevron 87.800 88.850 176.6509 Sho Nakamori Stanford 87.600 88.100 175.70010 Tim McNeill Berkeley 85.850 89.750 175.60011T Kyson Bunthuwong Berkeley 89.050 84.500 173.55011T Danell Leyva * Universal 87.650 85.900 173.55013 Steve Legendre Oklahoma 86.800 86.550 173.35014 Bryant Hadden Stanford 85.250 86.800 172.05015 Alexy Bilozertchev * OSU Boys 85.600 86.050 171.65016 Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons Oklahoma 84.450 86.150 170.60017 Ryan Lieberman Stanford 83.350 84.550 167.90018 Tyler Mizoguchi HGA 84.100 83.700 167.80019 Edward Mesa * Universal 84.450 83.200 167.65020 Josh Dixon Stanford 82.200 84.700 166.900

26 USa GYMNaStiCS JULY • aUGUST 2008

Glenn Ishino

Glen Ishino of Santa Ana, Calif., and John Orozco of Bronx, N.Y., claimed the

junior men’s all-around titles in the 16-18 year-old and 14-15 year-old divisions, respectively, at the 2008 Visa Championships. Ishino also claimed four individual

event titles, and Orozco earned three. In the 16-18 year-old division, Ishino posted a score of 87.150 to finish nearly three points ahead of Donothan Bailey of Lake Forest, Calif., who scored an 84.250. Jake Dalton

of Sparks, Nev., finished third at 82.750. Rounding out the 16-18 junior elite national team were Russell Dabritz of Legends, Alexander Naddour of Arizona Flairs, Austin Phillips of US Dev. Center and Christopher Stehl of Cypress Academy. Note: Alexy Bilozertchev and Edward Mesa also were named to this team by virtue of their score from the Senior Division Competition. Alexy and Edward qualified to compete in the senior division but were still eligible for the Junior Elite National Team In the 14-15 year-old age group, Orozco claimed his second straight U.S. junior all-around title with a score of 86.000. Sam Mikulak of Newport Coast, Calif., was second at 84.450 and C.J. Maestas of Albuquerque, N.M., was third at 84.000. Rounding out the 14-15 year old junior elite national team were Jacoby Rubin from Buffalo Grove, Cameron

Rogers of Weyandts, Dylan Akers of Cypress and Preston Ellsworth of WOGA. Note: Danell Leyva was also named to the team from Senior Division competition.

John Orozco

Junior Men’sTeam 16-18

Division

Junior Men’sTeam 14-15

Division

Donothan Bailey

Sam Mikulak

Photo - Max Morse Photo - Steve Lange

Photo - Max Morse

Photo - Max Morse

Photo - Steve Lange

Photo - Steve Lange

Junior 16-18 Men’s All-around Results Club TOTal1. Glenn Ishino SCATS – HB 87.1502. Donothan Bailey Azarian 84.2503. Jake Dalton Gym Nevada 82.7504. Russell Dabritz Legends 82.5005. Alexander Naddour Arizona Flairs 82.3506. Austin Phillips US Dev Center 80.9507. Christopher Stehl Cypress Acad. 80.9008. Glenn McCuen WOGA 80.4009T. D.J. Repp Gold Cup 80.2509T. Mackenzie Dow Surgents Elite 80.250

Junior 14-15 Men’s All-around Results Club TOTal1. John Orozco World Cup 86.0002. Sam Mikulak SCATS-HB 84.4503. C.J. Maestas Gold Cup 84.0004. Jacoby Rubin Buffalo Grove 83.8005. Cameron Rogers Weyandts 81.1006. Dylan Akers Cypress Acad 80.6507. Preston Ellsworth WOGA 80.4508T. Matthew Del Junco New Hope 80.3508T. Devin Burnett WOGA 80.35010. Sean Senters Parkettes 80.250

iShino, orozCo win Junior men’S all-arounD TiTleS

1315 Sunday DriveIndianapolis, IN 46217

Order Desk: (888) 576-0609E-mail: gym@motionwear.com

www.motionwear.com

Designed to exceed your expectations, rely on Motionwear

gymnastics apparel for quality, service, �t and comfort.

Our collections include fabrics in trend-setting styles for class,

practice, competition, and all your apparel needs.

Go ahead... Expect more.

Elevating Expectations

Share the Olympic Spirit! Motionwear’s Summer Collection is available now

at Gymnastic Pro Shops, Dance Retail Stores and on-line at www.motionwear.com

28 USa GYMNaStiCS JULY • aUGUST 2008

The 2008 Visa Championships was a dramatic

demonstration of the depth and talent that resides across the spectrum of rhythmic gymnastics in the United States. Nineteen year old Lisa Wang of Buffalo Grove, Ill., won her third straight all-around national title with a score of 131.950. After convincingly winning every event gold medal during preliminary competition, she called on her experience and consistency during finals to lock in the all-around gold. Wang, who will enroll full time at Yale University this year, said “I loved being out there….It was great doing the sport I love. It’s an amazing part of my life.” After 13 U.S. Senior titles, winning the Pan American Games gold, and representing the United States at three World Championships, Wang announced her retirement upon

the conclusion of the competition. Rachel Marmer of Los Angeles, Calif., earned the silver medal and confirmed her matchless ability to manipulate apparatus and perform the riskiest routines. Ava Gehringer of Evanston, Ill., shook up the rankings by taking the bronze. She elegantly fought for every element and demonstrated her determination throughout each event. Julie Zetlin of Bethesda, Md., came in fourth after drops overshadowed her beautiful execution and

emotional presence on the floor. Rebecca Wallenstein of Jacksonville, Fla., performed intricate routines with extreme flexibility, securing a fifth place finish. Sofya Roytburg, Sarah Kudishevitz, and Joanna Arnold ranked 6-8 respectively in a very tightly contested fight to make the National Team. The potential of the Junior National Team proved to all at the Visa

Championships that the United States sits poised and ready to become a force on the world scene in the coming years. Marlee Shape of Buffalo Grove, Ill., used her consistency and maturity to win her second straight junior all-around title with a score of 122.100. Gabriella Magid of Brooklyn, N.Y. took the silver medal thanks to her clean, perfectly completed difficulties. Eleven year old Rebecca Sereda of Las Vegas, Nev., shocked everyone with the ease and amplitude with which she performed in her first Nationals, and solidified herself as one of the top emerging young athletes. Anastasia Torba, with her physical strength and apparatus technique, and Victoria Syatkina with her infectious expression, came in fourth and fifth respectively. Coming in at number six was Michelle Milstein, who was arguably the most artistically mesmerizing athlete of the entire competition. Rounding out the National Team was the long and lithe Katherine Scarnechia coming in seventh, and securing the eighth and final spot was eleven year old power house Polina Kozitsky.

Senior All-Around1. Lisa Wang NOR 131.9502. Rachel Marmer EUR 125.1003. Ava Gehringer NOR 123.5504. Julie Zetlin RFL 122.6755. Rebecca Wallenstein WOR 116.9506. Sofya Roytburg LID 109.5507. Sarah Kudishevich IGM 108.4508. JoAnna Arnold NOR 106.2259. Nicole Chillingworth EUR 105.62510. Rachel Girma LAS 102.825Junior All-Around1. Marlee Shape NOR 122.1002. Gabrielle Magid LTD 114.2753. Rebecca Sereda LTD 112.8504. Anastasia Torba ALR 112.2505. Viktoriya Syatkina LTD 112.2256. Michelle Milstein IGM 110.1007. Katherine Scarnechia CAR 108.1508. Polina Kozitskiy PRA 107.8759. Cindy Lu TCR 10.4.62510. Jazzy Kerber NOR 104.200

Rachel Marmer

Lisa Wang

Ava Gehringer

Julie Zetlin

marlee Shape Gabrielle magid

ChampionS of ToDay anD Tomorrow proVe Their plaCeBy Jessica Howard - Photos by Todd Bissonette

30 USa GYMNaStiCS JULY • aUGUST 2008

Chris Estrada

By Karen Saladyga - Photos by Todd Bissonette

Chris Estrada, 25, of Colorado Springs, Colo., claimed his fourth straight U.S. senior men’s trampoline title at the 2008 Visa Championships

at Reliant Park in Houston, May 24. Alaina Hebert, 19, of Broussard, La., won senior women’s trampoline to add a second U.S. crown to her 2005 title. The Visa Championships is the third of four events where athletes earn points toward Olympic selection. The final event is July 1 is Kansas City, Mo. One man and one woman will represent the USA in trampoline at the 2008 Olympic Games. “It’s great to win my fourth trampoline title,” Estrada said. “I want to thank my coaches, Dmitri Poliaroush and Tara Guidry, because I wouldn’t have been able to do this without them.” Logan Dooley of Lake Forest, Calif., and Steven Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands, N.J., defended their men’s synchronized trampoline crown, and Kalon Ludvigson of Pocatello, Idaho, won senior men’s tumbling for the third straight year. Also winning senior titles were: Hebert and Erin Blanchard of Lafayette,

La., women’s synchronized trampoline; Aubree Balkan of Carlsbad, Calif., women’s double mini-trampoline; Austin White of Irvine, Calif., men’s double mini; and Kaitlin Tortorich of Fredericksburg, Va., women’s tumbling. In trampoline, Estrada posted a score of 107.40, followed by Michael Devine of Winnebago, Ill., in second and Dooley in third. With her score of 102.10, Hebert bested Blanchard and Williams, the 2006

and 2007 U.S. trampoline champions, respectively. In women’s synchronized trampoline, Hebert and Blanchard scored a 99.60, followed by Dircks and Alaina Williams of Amarillo, Texas. For the men, Dooley and Gluckstein earned a 136.30, with Estrada and Devine in second and Neil Gulati of Irvine, Calif., and Ryan Walsh of Asheville, N.C., in third. Balkan won women’s double mini-trampoline with a score of 134.30. Stephanie Toubman of Laguna Niguel, Calif., and Sarah Prosen of Apple Valley, Minn., finished second and third, respectively. White earned the men’s double mini title with a score of 148.00. In second was Ludvigson and in third was Derek Stangel of Cedar Lake, Ind.In tumbling, Tortorich’s 132.90 topped

Alaina Hebert

Trampoline anD TumblinG nameS ChampionS

Logan Dooley & Steven Gluckstein

Kalon Ludvigson

Erin Blanchard

Aubree Balkan

Trampoline anD TumblinG nameS ChampionS

Erin Blanchard

second-place finisher Leanne Seitzinger of Stafford, Va., the 2004 and 2006 U.S. champion. Susannah Johnson of Roanoke, Va., finished third. Ludvigson broke the U.S. men’s difficulty record in men’s tumbling and scored a total of 152.70. Chris Adair of Lubbock, Texas, was second and Brandon Sloan of Forest, Va., was third. “I’m very proud of my performance today,” Ludvigson said. “I’m very proud to be one of only three people in the world to have done a 13.6 (degree of difficulty).” The U.S. junior champions were: women – Savannah Vinsant of Newton, Texas, trampoline; Brittany Caddell of Levelland, Texas, and Shaylee Dunavin of Amarillo, Texas, synchronized trampoline; Sarah Gandy of Paris, Texas, double mini-trampoline; and Kiara Nowlin of Oxnard, Calif., tumbling; and men – Jeffrey Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands, N.J., trampoline; Casey Gesuelli of Middletown, N.J., and Gluckstein, synchronized trampoline; Aaron Cook of Detroit, Mich., double mini-trampoline; and Maurice Dunker of Marenge, Ill., tumbling.

Kaitlin Tortorich

Austin White

Michael Devine